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2025 NOMINEES

2025 Honoree

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WiT VANGUARD 

Maya Rogers

CEO, Tetris

Maya Rogers is CEO of Tetris, one of the leading and most distinctive video game brands and franchises in the world. With over 40 years of history, Tetris continues to captivate fans globally and has expanded far beyond the screen. Under Maya’s leadership, Tetris launched hit titles like Tetris Effect: Connected and Tetris 99, expanded into film with the Apple TV+ movie Tetris, and was named Best Digital Brand of 2024 at the Licensing International Awards. The brand now reaches into fashion, toys, and entertainment through 90+ global partners.

 

Tetris has been part of Maya’s family story since its earliest days. Raised with a front-row seat to the brand’s global rise, she now leads with deep respect for its legacy, while bringing fresh energy and creativity to its future. Her thoughtful approach to partnerships, storytelling, and innovation is helping redefine how a classic video game can show up in culture, wellness, and everyday life.

 

In addition to her work with Tetris, Maya co-founded Blue Startups, Hawaiʻi’s first venture accelerator. Since 2014, it has helped over 135 early-stage companies grow through mentorship, community, and investment, with a focus on inclusion and impact.


Maya is a proud mom and passionate advocate for underserved communities. She serves on several nonprofit boards, including the American Red Cross Pacific Islands Region, What School Could Be (WSCB), and the Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women and Children. Through all her work, she brings a strong sense of purpose, connection, and care.

NOMINEES

Brand Franchise Leadership

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BBC STUDIOS GLOBAL CONSUMER PRODUCTS TEAM


Led by, Suzy Lee Raia - SVP Global Consumer Products

​

BBC Studio

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RUTH HENRIQUEZ​

​

Head of Licensing, Publishing & LBE EMEA

 

Mattel

​

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THE PAW PATROL FRANCHISE TEAM ​

​

led by, Jamie Drew - EVP, Licensing Consumer Products & Experiences

​

Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences

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LAURA HENDERSON


EVP, Toy Brands & Creative Marketing

​

Spin Master

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TARYN JOHNSON

​

Sr. Manager, Franchise Strategy Integration


Disney 

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THE PEPPA PIG GLOBAL BRAND TEAM

​

led by, Esra Cafer - SVP Global Brand Strategy & Management

​

Kristin McKay - SVP and GM of Global Brands

 

Hasbro, Inc.

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LEGO®️ BRAND MARKETING TEAM ​

​

Led by, Maddie Boushie - Brand Director, US Marketing

 

LEGO Systems, Inc.

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THE CRUNCHYROLL CONSUMER PRODUCTS TEAM

​​

led by, Anna Songco Adamian - VP, Global Consumer Products

 

Crunchyroll

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WICKED FRANCHISE TEAM

​

led by, Melissa Rodriguez - VP Franchise Strategy

 

Universal Products & Services

Catalyst for Change Under 500

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DR. AMANDA GUMMER 

​

Founder/CEO

 

Fundamentally Children

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KATIE GOLDSTEIN​

​

Global Head of Policy & Regulatory Affairs

 

SuperAwesome

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RACHELE HARMUTH​

​

Founder

MESH Helps​

and​

Head of Product and Commercialization CrunchLabs

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GENNA ROSENBERG​

​

Changemaker CEO

 

GennComm

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LISA BOATMAN​

​

Sr. Director of People

​

Exploding Kittens

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JULIANA VANLAANAN​

​

Co-Founder/CEO

​

2MamaBees

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NANA BOUWENS​

​

Creative Director

​

​Tears R us

​

Catalyst for Change Over 500

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ALEX YEE

​

​Sr. Manager Global Hardlines Licensing​

​

Disney

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KATE ZAHRA​

​

Chief People Officer

 

Moose Toys

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ARIANNA RYAN​

​

Chief People Officer & EVP Sustainability

 

Asmodee

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CAROLINA GIUGA​

​

Sr. Director, Government & Public Affairs, Americas

​

LEGO Systems, Inc.

Commercial Excellence

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AMY SULLIVAN​​

​

VP Retail Business Development

​

Cloudco Entertainment

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CELICA COSTANTINO​

​

VP of Retail Sales

​

Ageless Innovation

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FIONA HARDIE

​

Buying Lead, Toys & Entertainment

​

Amazon

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LEGO®️ CANADA BUSINESS UNIT​

 

led by, Daniela Cavinatto - GM, Canada

 

LEGO Systems, Inc.

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TARA GARTMAN 

​

SVP, Retail Development & Marketing

​

Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences

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ASHLEY EMIG​

​

VP, Sales - Walmart US

 

Melissa & Doug​

Spin Master

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CHELSEA WOOD

​

Director of Sales

​

Relatable

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HOLLY SESTAK​

​

Director, Retail Brand Commercialization

 

Disney

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MEGAN SAPIN

​

Sr. Director of Sales

 

Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America

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TARA GEORGE

​

​Country Manager, Mattel Canada

​​​​

Mattel

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CARRIE MUELLER

​​​

Sr. Director of Sales – Target Team Lead

 

VTech Electronics North America

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EMILY MACLENNAN​

​

GM UK & EU

​

Moose Toys

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LAUREN ADELSBERGER HARMER & MEGAN FENNINGHAM​

​

Sales Director & Account Manager​

​

Jazwares

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SARA HUMPHREYS

​

VP, Walmart Team Leader

 

Hasbro, Inc.

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TRACY RAPOSE

 

VP, Team Lead

​

Just Play

Designer/Inventor Corporate

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AUDREY FREDA TAM​

​

Design Director - Dolls, Collectibles & Activities

 

Moose Toys

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EMMA PEAT​

​

Sr. Design Manager – Interactive + Dolls

​

Spin Master

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KATE FAKONAS

​

Sr. Director of Product Design, Play-Doh and Nerf

​

Hasbro, Inc.

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MIYA KIM​

​

Product Design Manager, Squish-a-Longs

​

Jazwares

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SUNG PARK ​

​

Sr. Manager, Product Design

​

Disney Licensing

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BRIANNA "BREE" WOODWARD​

​

Creative Director

 

Asmodee

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HARMONY HINES -SLATTERY

​

Product Design Manager

 

Disney Parks

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MARI SUNDERLAND​

​

SVP Web & Product Development

 

VTech Electronics North America 

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REBECCA SHIPMAN​

​

Key Lead Product Designer - Barbie/Dolls Design

​

Mattel

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DANIELLE GLEASON

​

Managing Product Designer

​

CrunchLabs

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JIHYE KIM 

​

Director of Product Design

 

Just Play 

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MICHELE ADAMSEN​

​

VP of Creative Services

 

Playmates Toys Inc.

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STEPHANIE KRAUS​

​

Global EVP

​

Universal Products & Experiences

Designer/Inventor - Independent

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APRIL MITCHELL

​

Inventor/Designer

 

4A's Creations, LLC

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MORGAN UHL​

​

CEO/Inventor

​

Knobēz

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CARLA SCHNEIDER

​

CEO/Founder

 

WubbaNub

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SALLY CONNOLLY​

​

Founder/Inventor/

Licensor/Entrepreneur

​

Napa Valley Toys USA

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ELLIE DIX​

​

Independent Game Designer

​

The Dark Imp

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SERENA FADLUN​

​

Inventor & Game Designer

​

Serena Fadlun

Digital Innovator

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AMANDA MULLER​

 

Director, Creative Development, Games & Emerging Media

 

Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences

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JESS KIRKMAN​

​

Sr. Director of Global Brand Creative

​

Mattel 

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MARJORY LAYMON​

​

VP, Product and Tech–Hasbro DTC and D&D Beyond

 

Hasbro, Inc.

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CHRISTINE TRAN

​

Head of Entertainment & Character Product Team

 

Amazon

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KATHERINE SCHOBER​

​

Director, Social Media

 

Jazwares

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RAY BILLINGS​

​

Digital Content Specialist

​

The Op Games

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DAISY RITZ​

​

VP of Marketing

 

Exploding Kittens

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LINDSEY PITTS​

​

Tech Service Specialist

 

LEGO Systems, Inc.

Emerging Technology Leader

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ADITI MITTAL​

​

Head of Strategic Programs, US Prime & Marketing Technology

​

Amazon

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HANNAH GRANT

​

Sr. Product Manager

 

SuperAwesome

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CARRIE BUSE

​

Head of Discovery, Mattel Future Lab

 

Mattel

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KRISTIN SIZE

​

​Director, Systems Engineering

 

LEGO Systems, Inc.

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DEBORAH STALLINGS STUMM

​

Founder & Chief FUN Officer

​

FUNfluential

Inbound Licensing

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AMY JARASHOW

​

VP, Global Publishing, Crafts and Celebrations

 

Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences

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HOLLIE HOLMES​

​

VP, Global Licensing Acquisitions

​

Moose Toys

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Marianne James​

​

SVP, Global Licensing, Hasbro Licensed Consumer Products

 

Hasbro, Inc.

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CHARLOTTE PAYNE​

​

VP, International Licensing

​

Cloudco Entertainment

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KATHLEEN LIN WO

​

Sr. Account Manager Licensing, Licensing & Extended Line

​

LEGO Systems, Inc.​

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DONYELLE EVANS​

​

Sr. Manager Corporate Development, Licensing Acquisitions

​

Mattel

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KATHRYN HARDY​

​

Sr. Director of Licensing

 

Just Play​​

Licensing Agent/Agency

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HEIDI SCHWARTZ

​

VP Business Development

​

Universal Branding & Media

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THE KING FEATURES TEAM​

​

led by Carla Silva - SVP, GM, Global Head of Licensing

​

King Features - a unit of Hearst

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LAURIE SMITH​

​

EVP

​

The Brand Liaison

Marketing Visionary

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AUDREY CAO​

​

Head of Marketing

​

The Woobles

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GEORGIA MANOLAS WALKER​

​

VP of Marketing, Girls Brands

​

Playmates Toys Inc.

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JULIE POULTER​

​

Creative Director, Advertising

​

Moose Toys

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KELLY RYAN​

​

Sr. Manager, Print & Offsite

​

Amazon

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ELIZABETH ING​

​

Director of Marketing

 

Entertainment Earth 

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HOLLY KOVAL​

​

Brand Manager, US Marketing

​

Spin Master

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KAREN BALDUF​

​

VP, VTech & LeapFrog Marketing

 

VTech Electronics North America

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KRISTEEN TIBBITS​

​

​VP Marketing and Social Media

​

Cloudco Entertainment

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ESTELLE VAREILLES​

​

Global VP Route to Market Marketing

 

Asmodee

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JILLIAN SCHUMACHER​

​

Marketing Manager

 

Brotherwise Games

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KATIE BUFORD

​

VP Global Brand Marketing, Hot Wheels

​

Mattel

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MEGHAN QUINN​

​

Sr. Director, Franchise & Marketing Strategy

​

Just Play

Mentor of the Year

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ALYSHA CURTIS​

​

Global Marketing Director

​

Moose Toys

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KAREN BRANSON​

​

Chief Revenue Officer

 

Relatable

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TAL SCHRIEBER​

​

Head of Early Learning Innovation Center

 

Spin Master

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JESSICA SHULTZ​

​

VP of Packaging Design

 

Just Play

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LAURA CHRISTY​

​

Sr. Director, Marketing

 

Jazwares

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JILL STRAIN​

​

Sr. Director, Supply and Inventory Planning

 

LEGO Systems, Inc.

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MORGAN RENKEN​

​

​VP of Operations, Chief of Staff

​

Entertainment Earth

PR Communications & Excellence

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CALEIGH ANTHONY​

​

Sr. Director, Global Communications

 

Spin Master

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LUCY SILAG​

​

Communications Manager, Amazon North America Stores

 

Amazon

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ELISA MARTINEZ​

 

LATAM Integrated Marketing Communications Director

 

Mattel

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RACHEL SANDLER​

​

SVP, Communications

​

Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences

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ELIZABETH FOSTER​

​

VP of Content and Communications

 

Licensing International

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SARA ROSALES MONTALVO​

​

SVP, Communications

 

Jazwares

Rising Leader Under 500 Employees

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AUDREY TORRENCE​

​

Global Brand Manager, Littlest Pet Shop

 

Basic Fun, Inc.

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JOYCE SPRAU​

​

VP of Product Development

​

Creata (USA) Inc.

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MICHELLE HAWTHORN

​

Director, Licensing and Marketing

 

Born To Play

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BERIT GINSBERG​

​

Sr. Brand Marketing Manager

 

King Features, a unit of Hearst

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​KELLEE VOPELAK​

​

VP of Creative Operations

 

Exploding Kittens

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HALEY HINSHAW​

​

Head of Production

 

CrunchLabs

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LIZ STARRY​

​

Sr. Brand Manager, Games

 

Relatable

Rising Leader Over 500 Employees

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ANGIE OUNG​

​

Sr. Director of Global Marketing

 

Moose Toys

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ELAINE CHASE​

​

CMO Trading Card Games

 

Ravensburger

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JENNIFER NELSON​

​

Director of Market Operations

 

LEGO Systems, Inc.

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SERINA FIGNOLE​

​

Sr. Manager, Global Brand Marketing

 

Jazwares

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CATHERINE SUTHERLAND​

​

Director, eCommerce Retail Development

 

Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences

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JACKELINE GONZALEZ​

​

Director, Toys, CP & Global Hardlines

 

Universal Products & Experiences

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MEGAN MARGOLIS​

 

Director, Emerging Business, Magic: The Gathering

 

Hasbro, Inc.

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TAYLOR MASON​

​

Product Manager, Entertainment & Character - Evergreen Strategy & Innovation

 

Amazon

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DEBORAH STRUMPF​

​

Sr. Director Global Brand Marketing – Barbie

 

Mattel

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JAYME THOMPSON

​

Sr. Director, Walmart Team Lead

 

Just Play

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MINNA SEIFERT​

​

Manager, Product Development

 

Spin Master

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TIFFANY LAVERY​

​

Director, PR & Social Marketing, 

 

VTech Electronics North America

Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year

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BREA BRAND

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CEO, Co-Founder & Creative Director

 

CONNETIX

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JUSTINE TIU​

​

Co-Founder

 

The Woobles

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MARJORIE SPITALNIK

​

Founder & CEO

 

Little Rebels

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HEATHER O'NEILL

​

CEO & Partner Owner

 

9th Level Games

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KUSUMA REDDY

​

Founder

 

The Culturorama

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RACHEL NEILL

​

Founder

 

Figgy

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HELEN SMITH​

​

Founder and CEO

 

Roo & You™

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MACY SCHMIDT

​

Founder & CEO

 

Overture Global Entertainment

Unsung Hero Under 500 Employees

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ALY ARD

​

Shop & Facilities Director

 

CrunchLabs

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CHEYANNE HUKE

 

Sales Manager

 

Crazy Aaron's Puttyworld

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HELEN XU

 

Project Manager

 

The Woobles

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AMY BAKER​

​

VP, Finance & Accounting

 

Exploding Kittens

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CHRISTINA SMITH

 

VP of Strategic Sourcing and Customer Experience

 

Miniature Market

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MARIA UNGARO

​

SVP, Member & Partner Relations

 

Licensing International

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ASHLEE VIRTUE

 

Sr. Executive Assistant & Office Operations Manager

 

Relatable

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GABI MATTINSON

 

Finance Business Partner

 

Cloudco Entertainment

Unsung Hero Over 500 Employees

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CAMERON BROWN​

​

Sr. Customer Success Manager Amazon Vendor Services - Toys

​

Amazon

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KATIE GENERAZIO​

​

Senior Director, Finance

 

Hasbro, Inc.​

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STEPHANIE FISHER​

​

Director of Revenue Cycle

 

Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America Inc.

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CÉLINE BUCKI​

​

Group Legal Director

 

Asmodee

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KEREN GLOBUS​

​

SVP, Design Operations

 

Jazwares

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STEPHANIE NORTH​

​

General Counsel

 

Just Play

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KATHY CASEY​

​

Sr. Director of Retail Marketing

 

Mattel

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LIBBY BIRCH​

​

Global Presentations Director

 

Moose Toys

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TINA COLANTUONO​

​

Sr. Manager Distribution and Allocation Retail Planning, Merchandising & In-Stock

 

LEGO Systems, Inc.

WiT Champion

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GABBY DIAZ​

​

Executive Assistant for Analytics and Insights and Central M&C Marketing VPs

 

LEGO Systems, Inc.

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STACY LEWIS​

​

Founder & Chief Playmaker

 

StacyLoo

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JULIEN SHARP​

​

GM & Country Manager, US

 

Asmodee

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STACY LIEBENSOHN​

​

Sr. Account Executive

 

The Toy Association

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ROBIN DARLING​

​

Manager, Global Corporate Events

 

Mattel

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